Once upon a time . . . the Temple - 1 Corinthians 3.16-22
2/3/2010 8:42:22 PM
1 Corinthians #14 in series
Once upon a time . . . the temple — now vast and varied.
Once upon a time, a very long time ago when Moses wrote the Law, the penalty for violating or defiling the temple was death. Leviticus 15.13
Once upon a time, when I was growing up, we really revered the house of God, (our own, of course). We dressed a certain way, and respected the sanctuary as a holy place.
Once upon a time, when I was younger and read today’s Scripture, I thought Paul was talking about me—about my body as the temple. (While we know that believers have the Holy Spirit living within. . . there’s more!) Take a look at these verses with me:
16Do you not know that you are God’s temple, and that the Spirit of God
has his dwelling place in you?
17If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him;
for the temple of God is holy and you are that temple. 1 Cor3. 16-17
By ‘Gods temple’ Paul meant the community of God’s people. Take note that God takes it just as seriously when people destroy that community, as when Moses discussed the defilement of the temple—the Old Testament sacred building. In Moses’ day, people could walk by that structure and know that God was there, but seriously, folks should be able to look at the band of believers, and see a bond, a community, and know that God is present.
Again, Paul indicates that worldly wisdom crept into their midst and was the cause of their division and of their potential undoing. It led to superior thinking and actions: the wise being superior to the foolish . . . strong superior to the weak . . . rich superior to the poor. Plato said, “the well born have a title to rule the worse born and the stronger should rule the weaker. It is for the ignorant to follow and for the wise men to take over the lead and to rule.”
Let no one deceive you. If anyone among you thinks he is wise in this world, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, for it stands written: ‘He who clutches the wise in their cunning craftiness’; and again: ‘The Lord knows that the thoughts of their hearts are vain.’ So then, let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours, but you are Christ’s and Christ is God’s. 1 Corinthians 3.18-22 NRSV
The community of God’s people, or as Paul refers to it here, ‘the temple of God, where the Spirit dwells’ is not confined to a building, a denomination, country, race, or tongue. It is a vast and varied Christian brotherhood. Though we may disagree with one another on certain details of doctrine, it is imperative that we respect each other, love one another, and do all we can to preserve peace. The people of God should be the most joy-filled, loving family on earth; yet as outsiders look in and look on, they are turned off by
our small-mindedness, judgmental ways, and hypocrisy---with each other!
Yet, I am part of a small early morning group of pray-ers who came together for the right motives, with a dose of commitment, and by golly, we are the temple of God! Nightly, I post these ‘Morning Briefings’ on Facebook, AllAboutGod.net, and PowerinthewordofGod.ning.com, which draw readers from around the world. Guess what? I have found sweet communion with Kim from South Carolina, Genuine from Jamaica, Pastor Wesley from India, and many more; together, we are the temple of our God. We are the church being the church. There is unity of purpose to serve God, and to glorify him—foolishness to the world, eh?
So, Christian, so far as it is within you, live at all peace with all men—especially those in the community of God. Forgive easily, focus on your common ground, do not be quick to take offense, leave no room for pettiness or nit-picking or quarreling . . . what do you say?
Let's be the temple of God, Friends~
Christine